Shannen McGuire with the Murray Donald & Caithness Cup (picture by Gillian Kirkwood; copyright retained by Kirkwoodgolf.co.uk).

SCOTS UNDER-16 GIRLS OUTGUNNED AT CRAIGIELAW

BUT CANMORE'S SHANNEN WINS HANDICAP TROPHY

For the second year in a row, the Scottish players found themselves playing only a supporting role in the closing stages of the Scottish Under-16 girls' open stroke-play golf championship over the Craigielaw links, East Lothian today.
But there was a silver lining for Scotland when Shannen McGuire from Canmore Golf Club, Dunfermline won the Murray Donald & Caithness Cup for the best 36-hole net aggregate.
Shannen had gross rounds of 94 and 90 for 184. Playing off 24 of a handicap, Shannen's net rounds were 70 and 66 for a grand total of 136, pipping Ireland's six-handicapper Emma O'Driscoll (Ballybunion) by a shot for the handsome handicap trophy.
Laura Sedda from Vicenza became the first ever Italian to win the scratch championship with scores of 69 and 76 for a three-over-par total of 145.
A birdie at the last gave Laura the title and the St Leonards Cup by a single stroke from three players: England's Heidi Baek (Felixstowe Ferry) and Hannah Turland (Tidworth Garrison) and Welsh challenge Amy Boulden (Maesdu).

Amy was officially placed second by virtue of having the best second round of the three tie-ing players.
Lisa Maguire (Slieve Russell), 13-year-old twin sister of last year's champion, Leona, who was unable to defend because of a back injury, finished fifth on 147 after reaching the turn in one-under-par 34 only to let her title chance slip through her fingers with double bogey 6s at the 12th and 15th in a sad inward half of 42 for a 76, five more than she had taken on Thurday.
The top Scot was Annabel Niven from Crieff with 75 and 80 for 155 - 10 shots behind the title-winning Italian.
Annabel finished joint 12th, which was the same position as the leading Scot in the tournament 12 months ago.
Jill Meldrum (Dullatur) came next for the Scots with 77 and 81 for 158.
Scotland's No 2 team - Annabel Niven, Gillian Scanlan (Hamilton) and Rachael Watton (Mortonhall) finished fifth of eight with a total of 311 in the team event.
The Scotland No 1 team of Lesley Atkins (Minto), Eilidh Briggs (Kilmacolm) and Jill Meldrum came sixth on 319.
England's Alexandra Peters, Hannah Turland and Heidi Baek won with 292 from Italy (294) with Ireland in third place on 296. England also won the team title last year.

LEADING NET TOTALS AT CRAIGIELAW
136 Shannen McGuire (Canmore) (24) 70 66.
137 Emma O'Driscoll (Ballybunion) (6) 72 65.
138 Gemma Dryburgh (Beaconsfield) (13) 68 70 (better inward half), Rachel Martin (Langley Park) (20) 68 70.
OTHER PRIZEWINNERS
Under-16s.
First round scratch: Laura Sedda (Vicenza) 69; net Kate McIntosh (Broomieknowe) 65.
Second round scratch: Emma O'Driscoll (Ballybunion) 71; net Amy Boulden (Maesdu) 68.
Under-14s.
First round scratch: Hannah Turland (Tidworth Garrison) 70; net Chloe Williams (Wrexham) 68 (better inward half).
Second round scratch: Bronte Law (Bramhall) 75; net Shannon Maguire (Canmore) 66.
Under-12s
First round net: Annabel Bailey (Rushcliffe) 63.
Second round net: Eloise Healy (Lee Park) 67.

SCROLL DOWN FOR ALL THE FINAL GROSS TOTALS

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